Research Uncensored

This week we are joined by Courtney Margetson, Founder and Executive Publisher of FDI Alliance International, a print and media publication that showcases the most attractive business destinations in North America and Canada to Site Selectors and CEOs from Europe and the UK.  Courtney discusses the magazine's origin story and we delve into his thoughts on the future of investment promotion an...

This week we are pleased to be joined by Lee Crume, President & CEO and Kimberly Rossetti, Vice President of Economic Development at Northern Kentucky Tri-ED. Lee and Kim discuss what drew them to work in economic development and detail Northern Kentucky's biggest assets and recent investment wins. In addition, they draw on their experiences over the past year and their thoughts on the si...

This week we are joined by Karla Moran,  Senior Project Manager with the Salt River Project of Phoenix, Arizona.  We delve into Karla's recent recognition as a top 50 North American Economic Developer, her advice to students and young professionals trying to break into the industry as well as the key role utilities play in regional business attraction. 

This week we have the honor of being joined by Jeff Finkle, President of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).  Jeff is a veteran in the economic development field and we capitalize on his vast experience by discussing a myriad of topical themes such as diversity and inclusion in economics, the reshoring trend, the decline of foreign direct investments, the future of working from...

This week we are lucky enough to be joined by Shawn Flynn, Host of The Silicon Valley Podcast. Shawn has led an impressive career in Silicon Valley working for start-ups, incubators and knows what it takes to make it in the region.  Shawn's deep network has seen him interview some of the top tech executives. We delve deep into his knowledge and experience to get his take on how economic devel...

This week we are joined by One East Kentucky's superstar team, Chuck Sexton, CEO and Ivy Stanley, Project Manager. We discuss their creative backgrounds that have helped propel their success in economic development, the work it takes to promote a rural region and highlight a major project win and what it meant for their region. 

This week we are joined by Wade Williams, Vice President of Global Business Development at REDI Cincinnati, the first point of contact for companies considering the 16-county, three-state Cincinnati region.. We dive into Wade's past work experience managing business operations and complex real-estate acquisition projects with Duke Energy’s Ohio and the Kentucky Office of the President. In add...

We're ringing 2021 with a special simulcast episode alongside our good friends and fellow podcasters, The Next Move Group, We Are Jobs. Joining us is NMG's Co-Founders, Chad Chancellor and Alex Metzger where we reflect on the lessons of 2020 and discuss our trend predictions for 2021 in economic development and investment attraction.

This week we are joined by Jeanine Jerkovic, Economic Development Director at the City of Surprise in Phoenix, Arizona. We delve into Jeanine's early career in politics that saw her work for the late Senator John McCain and as a Trade Commissioner for the Canadian Consulate in Phoenix. Jeanine also discusses how she has utilized creative marketing tactics, such as the # SnacksWithSurprise   c...

This week we are joined by Site Selector Superstar - Michelle Comerford! We explore Michelle's experience with the Austin Consulting group as Managing Director,  and her current role as Project Director and Industrial & Supply Chain Practice Leader for Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Co. (BLS & Co), which specializes in site selection, location economics, and incentives negotiation for cor...

This week we're joined by Sean Dyke, CEO of  St. Thomas EDC of Ontario, Canada! We dive into Sean's experience living in Japan, his work with the Southwestern Ontario Marketing Association and his creative push to promote his region with the marketing campaign #stthomasproud that saw one notable celebrity chiming in. We also discuss the many charity organizations and campaigns that Sean...

Join us this week as we chat with Ean Johnson, Vice President, Economic Development for OmniTRAX, one of the largest private railroad & transportation management companies in the United States. Ean discusses the symbiotic relationship between the rail industry and economic development, while touching on his career milestones, professional designations and philanthropic organizations that are n...

This week we are joined by the American economic development legend, Kenny McDonald, CEO of One Columbus and currently serves as the chair of International Economic Development Council (IEDC). We discuss how Kenny has helped lead the Columbus Region’s regional overall strategy for growth and dive into his over 25 years of economic development and site selection consulting experience, plus much mor...

Bonus Episode! We're taking a little vacation from our in-depth interviews with the foremost economic developers this week in order to speak with the WWE legend, Jacques Rougeau Jr. aka The Mountie.  Jacques is a Canadian retired professional wrestler best known for his appearances in the 1980s and 1990s with the World Wrestling Federation. He began his career by wrestling under his real name...

This week we are joined by Joe Melvin, Director of Business Development for North Carolina’s Southeast who was recently recognized as one of North America’s Top 50 economic developers for 2020 by Consultant Connect for his outstanding leadership and innovation to the profession. We discuss what led Joe to economic development, how he manages his duties across the 18-county regional partnership, so...

Join us this week as we chat with a very special guest, Brian McGowan, CEO of the Greater Seattle Partners. Brian boasts a prominent career working in politics and economic development with appointments under then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and President Barack Obama. A Brookings Institute fellow, Brian also led the White House's Economic Solution Task Force in response to the 2010 BP oil...

Not many in the field of Economic Development can claim to have experience as vast and as varied as this week's guest on the Research Uncensored podcast. Shirar O'Connor-Mugler has worked at Economic Development agencies and consulting firms since the early 90's, having started her career at Conway Inc. before going on to work for the likes of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agen...

Join us as we chat with Amy Thomson, Director of the International Strategy and Trade division, and responsible for the growth of foreign direct investment and export activity at the South Carolina Department of Commerce We explore Amy's experience as a senior international trade specialist with the US Department of Commerce’s Commercial Service and her time as an editor-in-chief of a Spanish...

As ResearchFDI celebrates a decade in the business,  Bruce and Amber welcome longtime friend, former colleague, mentor and all round top notch person, Dan Silverman, current VP of Foreign Direct Investment at Invest Quebec. We discuss his career in both the private and public sector and his top tips for emerging talent in the economic development field. 

This week we are honored to be joined by Niloo Boroun, Executive Director at Consider Canada City Alliance (CCCA). Niloo notably has held roles in the Office of the Premier (Ontario) as a Senior Policy Advisor to the Premier, a Senior Policy Advisor and Public Appointments to the Minister of Research and Innovation (Ontario) and as Manager, and Acting Director, of Investment Services and Global Ma...

This week we're joined by ESPN's resident MMA superstar journalist, Ariel Helwani! We discuss all things WWE, UFC, and Ariel's dream to see the Montreal Expos make a return to his hometown. Listen to the end for a surprise cameo by Daniel Silverman, VP of Foreign Direct Investment at Investissement Québec. Dan discusses how he assisted Ariel's father to pivot production to manu...

This week we discuss the importance of inclusive economic programs. To lead the discussion, we are joined by Rodrick Miller, who is the current CEO of Invest Puerto Rico, a Harvard Graduate and one of the foremost economic development leaders in the U.S., respected globally for his ability to maneuver in extraordinarily complex political and business environments. Rodrick's expertise and expe...

 This week we're going to Vegas! Well, virtually that is. We speak with Jared Smith, the Chief Operating Officer of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA). We discuss how the Las Vegas economy boasts more than just tourism and learn how Jared and his team promote the region. In addition, we find out what led Jared into Economic Development and his previous experience working as Direct...

This week we have the pleasure of introducing you to Samantha Brown, Director of Team Texas. A member-based state business attraction program through Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC), the professional association for Texas economic developers. Join us as we chat with Sam to learn more about her time working on the Hill and what led her to economic development. Oh, and that time she was ma...

For the past 25 years, Barry Matherly has been gaining leadership experience and driving initiatives. He has served as the past Chair of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and in 2019, Barry was named CEO and President of Detroit’s brand new regional economic development organization, the Detroit Regional Partnership. Join us this week, as we discuss what it took for Barry to ri...